Live from the Royal Albert Hall, London.
Zoltan Kocsis (piano)
Ildiko Komlosi (mezzo-sop) Laszlo Polgar (bass)
Budapest Festival Orchestra conductor Ivan Fischer.

The Budapest Festival Orchestra, which Ivan Fischer founded in 1983, is intended to be a symphony orchestra which functions like a chamber group, with each member allowed to assert an unusual degree of creative independence. The orchestra makes its Prom debut with Bartok's powerfully expressionistic interpretation of the Bluebeard legend. Before this comes the first of several Berlioz overtures to be featured in this Proms season - this one inspired by the colourful life of the Florentine goldsmith. Then Zoltan Koscis is the soloist in Liszt's flamboyant first piano concerto.

Berlioz Overture: Benvenuto Cellini
Liszt Piano Concerto No 1 in E flat

8.10 Prom Interval
Jeremy Beadle considers the Bluebeard myth.

8.30 Bartok Duke Bluebeard's Castle

(The appearance of the Budapest Festival Orchestra made possible with support from Associated Newspapers Ltd)